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First Families of Flat River #8
His Marriage Arrangement
Annamae Hartman shouldn’t be alive. After nearly dying from a fever that addled her brain, she doesn’t take anything for granted and has found joy again in the simple things. No matter how much Sawyer Mills brings her joy, he is not simple! When she refuses to see him after a botched proposal, the last thing she expected was to be quarantined with him, alone, with the same fever that nearly claimed her life. When the minister insists, Annamae marries Sawyer for proprietary’s sake. She does it reluctantly and ends up half-married to a man who has no recollection of the wedding!
Sawyer Mills is quite content with his life. His job is physically demanding, and he relishes every minute of it. What he doesn’t expect is to be stricken with a deadly fever in the middle of summer, and to be taken care of by the very woman that turned down his proposal just months before! He knows he messed up but plans on using every moment they have together to court Annamae the way he intended.
As Annamae nurses him back to health, can he convince her to take a second chance on his proposal? When Sawyer realizes that Annamae has lied to him about marriage, will he find it in his heart to forgive her? What happens when Sawyer decides that maybe his feelings and their half-marriage are too real to ignore?
★★ Get lost in this heartwarming story with a touch of humor and faith. ★★
Come spend time in Flat River, Nebraska. A small town filled with the strong men and women that settled the wild west of the Nebraska Plains from 1860 to 1880. Flat River is home to unique characters, strong heroines, swoony heroes, and stories that will stand the test of time. All these wholesome stories can be read by readers of all ages. They are filled with family values, romance, humor, and a sprinkle of faith.
Sawyer Mills is quite content with his life. His job is physically demanding, and he relishes every minute of it. What he doesn’t expect is to be stricken with a deadly fever in the middle of summer, and to be taken care of by the very woman that turned down his proposal just months before! He knows he messed up but plans on using every moment they have together to court Annamae the way he intended.
As Annamae nurses him back to health, can he convince her to take a second chance on his proposal? When Sawyer realizes that Annamae has lied to him about marriage, will he find it in his heart to forgive her? What happens when Sawyer decides that maybe his feelings and their half-marriage are too real to ignore?
★★ Get lost in this heartwarming story with a touch of humor and faith. ★★
Come spend time in Flat River, Nebraska. A small town filled with the strong men and women that settled the wild west of the Nebraska Plains from 1860 to 1880. Flat River is home to unique characters, strong heroines, swoony heroes, and stories that will stand the test of time. All these wholesome stories can be read by readers of all ages. They are filled with family values, romance, humor, and a sprinkle of faith.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 8, 2023
262 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Christine Sterling
117 books273 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author Christine Sterling loves immersing her readers in the small towns she’s created. Her inspirational stories feature humor, redemption, and romance, with themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for the love you want.
She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.
An empty nester, she lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking tea, being judged by her cat, eating snacks, or napping.
Sign up for her newsletter and get a free book at www. flatrivernebraska. com
She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.
An empty nester, she lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When she’s not writing, she can be found drinking tea, being judged by her cat, eating snacks, or napping.
Sign up for her newsletter and get a free book at www. flatrivernebraska. com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 25, 2023
Annamae Hartman, after surviving scarlet fever, has had to deal with being overprotected by her family. Having older brothers has made it hard for her to consider life away from home and/or being courted. Sawyer, a cowboy on the Chapman ranch, has fallen for her and made a botched proposal. When Sawyer comes down with scarlet fever/scarlatina while working with the cattle, he is brought to the closest ranch, the Hartman ranch. Scarlet fever, with good reason, strikes fear in the hearts of all in the west. Survival is rare and often leaves lasting effects. Good thing that the code of the west required that you take care of those in your house, even if they are not a family member. Good thing the patriarch of the Hartman family is no longer around. Enough of the story, as one expects from Christing Sterling we get romance, humor, conflict, surprises and thankfully a few more answers. Sadly now I have to wait for the next book to come out. I’m really not good at waiting.
September 17, 2023
His Marriage Arrangement
This is a historical romance which is well written and very imaginative. It is also a good quick short story. Annamae is a sheltered young lady because when she was younger she suffered with a disease that created permanent health problems. When Sawyer bitches a proposal on Christmas, she refuses adamantly. She never expected to be quarantined with him and being his soul caregiver in order to keep him alive a few months later. Nor did she expect to marry him in order to do so. The problem arises when he actually wakes up from the illness he has no recollection of a wedding. So can a couple actually be married when one person of the couple is not able to complete the vows? In this author’s imagination it is entirely possible.
This is a historical romance which is well written and very imaginative. It is also a good quick short story. Annamae is a sheltered young lady because when she was younger she suffered with a disease that created permanent health problems. When Sawyer bitches a proposal on Christmas, she refuses adamantly. She never expected to be quarantined with him and being his soul caregiver in order to keep him alive a few months later. Nor did she expect to marry him in order to do so. The problem arises when he actually wakes up from the illness he has no recollection of a wedding. So can a couple actually be married when one person of the couple is not able to complete the vows? In this author’s imagination it is entirely possible.
September 10, 2024
A Sweet story
I've been enjoying getting to know everyone at Flat River. Having the original characters in each new book makes it feel like catching up with old friends. Even though each book is great by itself, I enjoy the progression of adding new characters.
Annamae had caught scarlet fever when she was younger and that limited her ability to do a lot of things. Between the fever and a harsh father, she had a hard childhood.
Sawyer came to Flat River when he signed up for the cattle drive from Texas to Flat River. When he came down with the fever, Annamae was the only one who could care for him because she'd already had it. They both had feelings for each other, but just couldn't get on the same page and work it out. This is a sweet story.
I've been enjoying getting to know everyone at Flat River. Having the original characters in each new book makes it feel like catching up with old friends. Even though each book is great by itself, I enjoy the progression of adding new characters.
Annamae had caught scarlet fever when she was younger and that limited her ability to do a lot of things. Between the fever and a harsh father, she had a hard childhood.
Sawyer came to Flat River when he signed up for the cattle drive from Texas to Flat River. When he came down with the fever, Annamae was the only one who could care for him because she'd already had it. They both had feelings for each other, but just couldn't get on the same page and work it out. This is a sweet story.
September 11, 2023
Another great read by this author. Having met Annamae in previous books, I had been looking forward to her story.
After a party at the Chapman Ranch, Sawyer can't stop thinking about Annamae, but can he convince her to court him? What happens when he gets sick; will he lose his job and the girl he's falling for?
This was a clean, sweet read. In a decently sized series, this book still manages to feel unique and have it's own challenges for the characters.
Excited for more of the Hartmann family stories still to come!
After a party at the Chapman Ranch, Sawyer can't stop thinking about Annamae, but can he convince her to court him? What happens when he gets sick; will he lose his job and the girl he's falling for?
This was a clean, sweet read. In a decently sized series, this book still manages to feel unique and have it's own challenges for the characters.
Excited for more of the Hartmann family stories still to come!
November 9, 2023
sweet story!
Loved the next installment in the Flat River series! Clean, sweet romance with well-developed plot and characters! The story flows naturally and you just find yourself reading “one more chapter” into the night.
I also like how Mrs. Sterling gently covers topics of misunderstanding and consequences, of culture of the time, and of expectations.
The epilogue sure makes you itch for more stories of HEAs for all the residents of that fictional small town.
Loved the next installment in the Flat River series! Clean, sweet romance with well-developed plot and characters! The story flows naturally and you just find yourself reading “one more chapter” into the night.
I also like how Mrs. Sterling gently covers topics of misunderstanding and consequences, of culture of the time, and of expectations.
The epilogue sure makes you itch for more stories of HEAs for all the residents of that fictional small town.
July 3, 2024
Annamae and Sawyer
I liked this couple a lot. I’m still unsure of Tot and Verna. I feel like it was too fast and I still kinda hate the Chapman family. I’m relieved we are starting to move away from them. The Hartmans are more interesting. (With the exception of Caleb, Alice and Oliver- I could leave the rest of them behind) I can’t wait for Midge and Bax’s story. These characters are just so much more interesting and I love found family.
I liked this couple a lot. I’m still unsure of Tot and Verna. I feel like it was too fast and I still kinda hate the Chapman family. I’m relieved we are starting to move away from them. The Hartmans are more interesting. (With the exception of Caleb, Alice and Oliver- I could leave the rest of them behind) I can’t wait for Midge and Bax’s story. These characters are just so much more interesting and I love found family.
August 9, 2023
I enjoyed the book! Annamae has scarlet fever when she was young and her health is fragile due the illness. Sawyer becomes very ill and Annamae nurses him. She becomes “half-married” to protect her reputation. This is a clean wholesome book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series! I highly recommend reading this book!
August 11, 2023
To help may be too much
Fever had changed her life,but at least now she was immune to it. When Sawyer needs medical help to survive and recover, the ranch was the closest. Luckily she lived there and maybe could help him. Would this help or hurt their contradicting relationship? (friends or more) another step in this family saga! Great read!
Fever had changed her life,but at least now she was immune to it. When Sawyer needs medical help to survive and recover, the ranch was the closest. Luckily she lived there and maybe could help him. Would this help or hurt their contradicting relationship? (friends or more) another step in this family saga! Great read!
August 12, 2024
His Marriage Arangement
Thi was. Little different story form the other in this series. Anna Mae was taking care of Sawyer who had contracted the fever. Anna Mae had previously had this fever and had left her with some difficulties in her functioning. Preacher visited and decided Annamae should marry Sawyee
been though he couldn’t participate. More to come, enjoy.
Thi was. Little different story form the other in this series. Anna Mae was taking care of Sawyer who had contracted the fever. Anna Mae had previously had this fever and had left her with some difficulties in her functioning. Preacher visited and decided Annamae should marry Sawyee
been though he couldn’t participate. More to come, enjoy.
August 13, 2023
Sawyer and Annamae
So glad there is more of Flat River stories and also that the Hartman siblings are being featured. Annamae is fragile but has determination. Sawyer is quick to jump to conclusions, not necessarily correct. Very satisfying read.
So glad there is more of Flat River stories and also that the Hartman siblings are being featured. Annamae is fragile but has determination. Sawyer is quick to jump to conclusions, not necessarily correct. Very satisfying read.
September 15, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book
It has a very good plot that holds your interest throughout the story. It was a hard life for people back then. Illnesses like Scarlatina could wipe out a whole town
It has a very good plot that holds your interest throughout the story. It was a hard life for people back then. Illnesses like Scarlatina could wipe out a whole town
August 9, 2024
Great story!
Sawyer and Annamae were made for each other although it took them awhile to accept that fact! Annamae nursed Sawyer through a potentially fatal illness while they learned how much they loved and needed each other!
Sawyer and Annamae were made for each other although it took them awhile to accept that fact! Annamae nursed Sawyer through a potentially fatal illness while they learned how much they loved and needed each other!
July 7, 2024
Good storyline!
Good story and loved how it ended! What a challenge it would have been to live in those days! Good writing!
Good story and loved how it ended! What a challenge it would have been to live in those days! Good writing!
January 11, 2025
Confusion
Confusion and not being clear when talking to loved one creates an awkward, difficult path. Moral of book is be honest and be specific when speaking
Confusion and not being clear when talking to loved one creates an awkward, difficult path. Moral of book is be honest and be specific when speaking
October 16, 2025
in Sickness and in Health
Sawyer and Annie dance around each other in an awkward dance of love and life. Sickness threatens to tear them apart, but can love save the day?
Sawyer and Annie dance around each other in an awkward dance of love and life. Sickness threatens to tear them apart, but can love save the day?
September 25, 2023
Love maybe
Flat river is a great place for wonderful story lines and extraordinary characters who face troubling times head on. Sawyer and Annamae are two such characters who dance around each other without music but when tragedy strikes stick like glue.
Flat river is a great place for wonderful story lines and extraordinary characters who face troubling times head on. Sawyer and Annamae are two such characters who dance around each other without music but when tragedy strikes stick like glue.
November 26, 2023
Sawyer- a cowboy on the Chapman ranch, who really likes her but made a botched proposal, and later came down with scarlet fever.
Annamae Hartman- a survivor scarlet fever with an overprotective family.
I enjoyed reading this story of second chance not as much to love but to life itself. Their story has a lovely hea.
Ama
Annamae Hartman- a survivor scarlet fever with an overprotective family.
I enjoyed reading this story of second chance not as much to love but to life itself. Their story has a lovely hea.
Ama
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews